Army Veteran Returns Home to Reopen Eastside CrossFit Gym
INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana, January 23, 2013 (Immediate Release) After a year’s deployment in Afghanistan, Sergeant Jeff Chapman is back doing what he is passionate about – owning and operating central Indiana’s first CrossFit gym. Opening Indy CrossFit in January 2007 was a huge leap of faith- CrossFit was unknown to but a few people. Over the next five years, Chapman and his gym family spread the word about this fitness lifestyle to fellow law enforcement, firefighters, military personnel as well as others looking for a proven and functional fitness program. Then this Sergeant in the US Army Reserve received orders to deploy to Afghanistan for a year, and Indy CrossFit was put on hold.
Now, Chapman is ready to resume his passion.This time, however, things are different. CrossFit is not a fly-by-night fad, but a proven fitness program, and the new location is near the heart of Historic Irvington – a true community experiencing revitalization and grassroots effort to support and expand local businesses.
Chapman and his wife, who grew up and worked in the Irvington area, started to scout locations after Chapman’s return home last October. During the Historic Irvington Halloween Festival, they found a site within walking distance for nearby residents, a running path, a nearby pizza spot and a brewpub. Chapman states “As a group, we like to have fun together, we know each other’s families, we support each other in interests aside from working out together. This location allows us to do just that while staying in the same neighborhood.”
Chapman also has true-life experience to inspire his members. Nearly 39, he was one of the oldest soldiers in the 325th Tactical PSYOP (A Special Operations Command) deployed to southern Afghanistan. “ We had to march in a war zone 25 miles every couple of days with 70 pounds of gear on our backs, in temperatures exceeding 115 degrees. If you’re not in shape, you’re a liability to your team”. Chapman’s physical peak allowed him to out pace and out-perform soldiers nearly half his age.
At FOB Lindsey near Kandahar, Chapman bonded with a dedicated group of deployed CrossFitters, often using any leftover equipment that would work as a weight sled or box for jumps. Even in Afghanistan, Chapman continued to teach, coach and motivate weary and physically worn troops, as well as his Indy CrossFit members that followed his blog and workouts that he posted online. “Doing CrossFit not only kept me strong physically but mentally as well. Everyone misses home, his or her family, just as I did. But workouts helped me through that stressful and difficult time away from my family and friends”
Now he’s ready for his next mission: inspiring and helping the residents of Irvington and the east side of Indianapolis to become healthier, better versions of themselves. “There will be blood, sweat and tears, but everyone is in it together right along with you.”
For more in formation on Indy CrossFit, visit www.indycrossfit.com
Contact:
Indy CrossFit/ SHOK Fitness
211 S. Ritter #G, Indianapolis IN 46219
317.847.5121
Indycrossfit 